Chris Paul was rumored to want out of New Orleans, then just before the start of training camp, he started changing his tune.

Now, it appears the trade winds are picking up again in New Orleans.

As if a humiliating 135-81 preseason loss to the Orlando Magic wasn’t bad enough to have at least a little impact on damaging Paul’s enthusiasm for staying in New Orleans, the future of the Hornets organization remains up in the air.

After multiple reports Sunday suggested the sale of the team to Louisiana billionaire Gary Chouset was off, USA Today reported Monday that the deal isn’t dead quite yet.

It’s just taking a long, long, long time.

In fact, talks between current owner George Shinn and Chouset have been dragging on since April.

With no clear end in sight, and the Hornets appearing to be on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture heading into the season, Chris Paul isn’t likely to be content to remain in New Orleans for long.